In somewhat surprising news, the Minnesota Vikings have opted not to franchise tag quarterback Sam Darnold. This decision allows the veteran to enter free agency. A player must be tagged by 4 p.m. Eastern time today, but the team has been adamant in declaring that Darnold has earned the right to pursue free agency.
For the Vikings, this marks the second year in a row where they could watch their starting quarterback walk out the door. After the 2023 season, Minnesota refused to extend Kirk Cousins’ contract. The Pro Bowl signal-caller then accepted a four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
Vikings’ Decision on Darnold
Some suspected the team would slap the tag on Darnold. The quarterback had a comeback year in 2024 that saw him go 361-575 for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. On the way, he led the Vikings to a 14-win season and earned himself his first Pro-Bowl berth. The team was impressed by Darnold’s poise on the field and his locker room leadership.
The big reason the Vikings would have applied the tag to him was to eventually trade him for multiple draft picks. Minnesota is woefully short on picks this year, having only four, including a compensatory pick that will be awarded later. The team has critical needs on the offensive and defensive lines, at running back, and in its secondary. Trading Darnold would have brought in some much-needed draft capital.
But if they signed him and could not negotiate a trade, they would be on the line for his $40 million contract. This would have severely limited their options in forfifying their other position needs. And teams are very hesitant these days to part with valuable draft capital.
What’s Next?
Darnold now moves to the top of the quarterback free-agent list. Spotrac has estimated that he could command a 2025 salary as high as $40,123,661. And based on a number of factors, he could be offered a contract worth $160,494,644 for four years.
And what are the most likely destinations for Darnold? The Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders rise to the top of the list. However, good cases could also be made for the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers. With so many teams needing a franchise quarterback and limited options in the draft, Darnold will have his choice of teams and will not come cheaply.
The Vikings hope that 2024 first-round draft choice J.J. McCarthy is ready to go at the start of the upcoming season. A torn meniscus suffered in an exhibition game last season was obviously a huge setback. But he has rehabbed well, and the team hopes he will be ready to start on Day 1. If not, late-season addition, former Giants’ starter Daniel Jones, could take the reins until McCarthy is ready.
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